"Raising Standards for Long Term Improvements"
by
Alison Aubrecht
Fourth grade reading level. High school certification of attendance. When you read this what do you think? Those are the admissions standards at Gallaudet University. Students have been complaining for some time now, because the lack of standards affects the University as a whole. Students who are enrolled that are struggling with reading are placed into conditional courses. In those courses, students are expected to improve their skills within four semesters. If they don't they will be asked to leave. Now, that may seem fair. But if you really look at the big picture, you'll realize it isn't quite fair. Students who are currently enrolled at the University have raised concerns about the lack of challenge in their classes. Students taking honors courses feel that the courses are not as stimulating and intellectually challenging as they initially expected. Students in other English courses feel the same way. Those who are taking classes with students from conditional courses find their classes moving slow. The teachers have very low expectations of the students, and move at a pace that fails to meet many others' needs. A lot of "spoon-feeding" goes on, which does nothing but force students to stay at the level at which they currently function. This is not good. Moreover, prospective students outside of the University cast a doubtful eye on Gallaudet when considering different institutions for higher education. Would it be challenging enough? Would it teach me something new? The University defends itself in saying that if they raise the standards, many students would be unable to attend Gallaudet University; as a result, the number of students who enroll would be dramatically reduced. Once this happens, Gallaudet University would lose federal funding and possibly even University status. Nope. This can't happen. After talking with a recent graduate of RIT, I have doubts about the administration's defense. A program at RIT-NTID, recently raised it's standards from 4th grade to 8th grade reading proficiency. The result? NTID saw it's largest enrollment numbers in a long time- 600 new students. Gallaudet, true to it's word, welcomed a mere 280-something new students. My question is, wouldn't it be better to take a blow now and lose students by increasing standards, in order to get much better results in the long run? If Gallaudet increases it's standards, it's very likely that Residential schools will too-they will want their students to be able to apply for Gallaudet University-domino effect. By staying with the same standards, the University is succeeding in a few things. First, they are succeeding in maintaining attitudes of AUDISM. Secondly, they are succeeding in allowing students to think "well that's good enough," instead of "I want to give it my best." Thirdly, they are succeeding in continuing on a path that is slanted downhill. Gallaudet is a sinking ship, and it is hanging on to the fine twig of, "But it's a great place for personal growth!" Not anymore.